Throughout this course, you will be asked to respond to each week's resources in a variety of ways. Look for these terms in your assignment descriptions; then, use these definitions to be sure you create the right kind of writing for that particular week.
Describe: to give a detailed account of something.
Summarize: to express the main points of a reading in a shorter form. Think about the who, what, why, where, and how.
Analyze: to study or determine the nature of something by breaking it down and looking closely at its parts.
Apply: to use or show the relevance of an idea or theory in a particular situation.
Evaluate: to determine the significance, worth, or condition of something studying and appraising it carefully.
Propose: to form or put forward a plan or intention.
Reflect: to think about an idea deeply and consider its impact.
In EDUC 6005, you have weekly assignments that require specific writing skills. To make these skills easier to master, we have provided writing information based on this course's particular weekly assignments. Click on the week (at the left of the screen) that corresponds with the current week of the course. Once you've clicked on the appropriate week, you will find definitions, resources, and useful tips to help you complete each assignment successfully!
Even for the most experienced writers, producing academic writing can be a daunting task. When I was a graduate student I often felt paralyzed by the pressure to produce something brilliant, or at least coherent, on my first try, knowing that my work would be evaluated and given a grade. Sometimes, as writers, we acknowledge that there will be errors in our first draft, but we assume that those errors will be mostly surface-level grammar or punctuation errors, or problems with the organization of our paper.
Well, I'm here to tell you that it is completely normal for the ideas in your initial draft to be as rough as the grammar or organization. Though we are often taught otherwise, writing is not a linear process. It's unrealistic to expect to come up with all your ideas in your head first, and then simply transcribe them onto the page. Instead, let your ideas develop through the writing process. You don't need to "have it all figured out" before you begin to write. Just start: Getting something on the page is usually the hardest part of the process. Start early, so that you have plenty of time to go back and evaluate your draft's ideas, as well as its grammar, punctuation, and organization.
Finally, I encourage you to talk to your colleagues and instructors about writing. Share what works for you, and what you're concerned about. This dialogue helps demystify the writing process, making it less nerve-wracking. You can also take a look at the Writing Center website's resources on avoiding writer's block. Good luck!
OASIS